Rondell McNair stepped on the campus of Boise State earlier this month and couldn’t help but feel a little overwhelmed.

He’s achieved a life-long dream, one that at times seemed distant.

It’s been a long journey for the Pamlico County native, who graduated high school from New Bern in 2012.

After spending the past two years at a junior college in San Pablo, Calif., McNair is a little more than a month away from starting football practice with the Boise State Broncos.

“I took the whole junior college route, and I am finally a Division I football player. It’s kind of overwhelming,” said McNair, who is on campus and taking summer classes.

McNair blocked out his doubters and naysayers, and continued to pursue his dreams.

The 6-foot-4, 255-pound defensive lineman said it was challenging, but he turned to his family and friends for support.

“It’s a great feeling. Now, those same people are going to see me on TV playing football,” McNair said.

McNair, who has two seasons of eligibility, is a junior college transfer from Contra Costa Community College where he had 7.5 sacks for the Comets last season. He made all-conference and all-region.

“It was a long journey. I couldn’t have made it without my parents and my family sticking with me. I didn’t know what to do when I didn’t qualify out of high school.

“My parents told me about the junior college route, so I wouldn’t be here without them.”

McNair’s biggest joy is showing kids of Craven and Pamlico County that he didn’t give up, even when times were difficult and he was more than 1,000 miles away from North Carolina.

“For the kids of Pamlico and New Bern to see me on TV and think that Rondell never gave up and that they can do this, that’s great. I want kids to not give up on their dreams.”

McNair never quit.

On Aug. 28, McNair will suit up in his first college game, in the Georgia Dome, against Mississippi in a primetime game televised by ESPN.

“I’m probably going to be shocked and nervous,” McNair said. “I can’t really tell how I am going to feel when that time comes. It’s going to be a good feeling.”

Since arriving in Idaho, McNair’s schedule has been jam-packed between classes and football.

“I’ve been very, very busy. I have to get up at five in the morning, every morning. We run at six, lift at seven and then I have class from 9:45 until 11:45, then we have another workout,” McNair said.

“There’s not really much to do in Idaho, but to focus on football and school work. It’s a great feeling to be able to focus on football and school.”

Page 2 of 2 - Boise State, which went 8-5 last season, is a regular in bowl games.

The Broncos own the highest Division I winning percentage since 2000. They are 57-9 over the past five seasons.

“I’m very excited to be here. We are one of the most winning teams in the nation,” McNair said. “I’m happy to be a part of a real winning program.”

McNair will look to step in and replace former Boise State defensive lineman Demarcus Lawrence, who was selected in the second round by the Dallas Cowboys in May’s NFL Draft.